Jeffco Invasive Species Management is partnering with the Colorado Department of Agriculture and The Colorado Weed Management Association to raise awareness about the impacts and the need to control noxious weeds.
Jeffco Invasive Species Management and Jeffco CSU Extension have partnered to promote EAB awareness within our county.
Information is available on our EAB pages that will assist you with understanding the issue, how to identify EAB, how to determine if you may have it, and how to plan for managing it.
Landowners may enter their information to help us better understand the Japanese beetle populations along the Front Range.
We will be using our online map to track early emergence and document the preferred Colorado hosts.
Each month we will feature a noxious weed to help landowners identify weeds they may encounter on their property.
Arundo donax
Giant reed is a perennial grass that can grow to 25+ feet tall. Originally imported to the US as an erosion control and horticultural plant in the 1800s, it has escaped and moved into many riparian areas in the west. It is native to the Mediterranean region and eastern Asia.
It spreads by rhizomes and stem nodes and can form large clumps resembling bamboo. It grows in full sun and in lightly shaded areas and is very drought tolerant.
The leaves can be 2 inches wide and up to 36 inches long. Stems are ¼ -2 inches wide.
Its distinctive auricles clasp the stem. The ligules are large and papery with small hairs along the margin.
The flowers are arranged in a large plume 1-2 feet long. Within North America, it is not believed that the seeds are viable.
Giant reed forms huge colonies along waterways. It disrupts the water flow, increases sedimentation, and changes the structure of water channels that can lead to erosion. Dead and dry stands can pose a fire hazard.
Colorado has less than 500 known locations and this List A noxious weed needs to be completely eliminated. Because it easily spreads by plant fragments removal is not an option. Use of a systemic herbicide will give the best control.
Control includes treating with herbicide . Visit us at www.jeffco.us/jcism for more information.
RESOURCES
Colorado Weed Management Association Noxious Weeds of Colorado 14th Edition
PHOTO CREDITS
Alicia Doran
JCISM
Weed of the Month is a joint effort between Jefferson County Invasive Species Management, CWMA, and Archuleta County.
We developed this guide to assist landowners. The information provides steps to develop a management plan for properties that have noxious weeds.